IPL 10 could see the return of Harsha Bhogle

Harsha Bhogle has been missing from the commentary box for almost a year now since his much talked about sacking by the BCCI. But, if reports are to be belived, broadcaster Sony is planning to bring him back as a host for the upcoming season which would complete a decade of the IPL.

During last season's tournament, Harsha Bhogle had tweeted, “Would have been nice to be part of @IPL again. Was in fact, looking forward to it. Favorite tournament. Hope #IPL9 is a blockbuster."

Bhogle’s broadcast exile is set to end during this year's IPL and if things go well, the veteran commentator is expected to be back at least in the studio for this year’s event, if not the commentary box. A lot has changed in Indian cricket in the last 12 months, most importantly there has been a power change at the top of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI). The office-bearers who were responsible for Bhogle's departure are no longer in power and that has paved the way for Sony to attempt to make a deal with the experienced commentator.

The likes of Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar are not available this year, due to strained relations between India and Pakistan which means that there is a shortage of individuals with the gift of a sharp tongue and an analytic eye. And Bhogle is believed to be the right person to fill that void, even if his role is confined to the studio.

Both, broadcasters Sony, as well as Bhogle have chosen not to comment on the development, but the Times of India has information that talks have been going on between the two parties for quite some time now. Moreover, one of the reasons why the concerned parties, (which includes the BCCI), are keeping quiet over the situation is the fear of influential people in cricket coming in and derailing the whole thing. After all, a lot has already been said about Bhogle’s departure from the commentary box. A tweet from Amitabh Bachchan, a retweet from MS Dhoni and a complaint from senior Indian players are believed to be the main reason for his sacking last year.

It is believed that Bhogle wants to commentate this year, rather than chat from the studio, however, the chances of him commentating are remote given that the BCCI is producing the tournament this year. But the BCCI is unlikely to object if Sony offers him a studio contract. Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, L Sivaramakrishnan and Sanjay Manjrekar are among those expected to be calling the action at this year’s IPL whereas Bhogle’s exact role will clear up in the coming days.

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